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Lesson 1A Introduction to Computers Definition of a Computer A computer is an electronic device used to process data, converting the data into information that is useful to people Computers Consist of Four Parts Hardware Software Users Data Click to Enlarge Hardware
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Lesson 1A Introduction to Computers
Definition of a Computer • A computer is an electronic device used to process data, converting the data into information that is useful to people
Computers Consist of Four Parts • Hardware • Software • Users • Data Click to Enlarge
Hardware • Mechanical devices that make up the computer
Processing • The procedure that transforms raw data into useful information is called processing • The processor and memory perform this transformation
Processor • The computer’s brain, which organizes and carries out instructions from either the user or the software
Motherboard • Rigid rectangular card containing the circuitry that connects the processor to the other hardware
Circuit board • Motherboard is an example of a circuit board • Attached to the motherboard are many smaller circuit boards that house many internal devices
Central Processing Unit (CPU) • Refers to a computer’s processor
Memory • When you launch a program, it is loaded into and run from memory
Random Access Memory (RAM) • Determines a computer’s speed and power
Memory Measurements • Kilobyte (KB) • Megabyte (MB) • Gigabyte (GB) • Terabyte (TB)
Input Devices • Accept data and instructions from the user or from another computer system
Most Common Input Devices • Keyboard • Mouse
Output Devices • Return processed data to the user or to another computer system
Most Common Output Devices • Monitor • Printer
Storage • Holds data permanently
Storage Terms • Magnetic disk • Read/write heads • Disk drive • Hard disk or hard drive • Diskette drive • Diskettes or floppy disks
Storage Terms Continued • CD-ROM drive • Compact disks (CDs) • Compact Disk-Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) • CD-Recordable (CD-R) • CD-ReWritable (CD-RW) • Digital Video Disk (DVD)
Software • A set of electronic instructions consisting of complex codes, or programs, that make the computer perform tasks
Examples of Software • System software • Application software
Five Computer Categories • Supercomputers • Mainframe computers • Minicomputers • Workstations • Microcomputers, or personal computers
The Internet Started Out As ARPANET • In 1969, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) of the U.S. Department of Defense created the Internet when it connected the computers at universities and defense contractors. This system was called ARPANET.
The Internet Today • The Internet today is a cooperative community of over 100 million computer users connected worldwide.
World Wide Web • Accessed through the Internet, the World Wide Web lets users view specially formatted documents
Web Browsers • A Web browser is computer software that lets you navigate the Web • First you connect to the Internet, then you launch the browser, then you view Web pages
URL’s • Every Web page has a unique address, called a uniform resource locator, or URL (pronounced as spelled: U-R-L)
Hyperlinks • A hyperlink is a part of the Web page that is linked to a URL
Web Search Tools • Directories • Search Engines • Metasearch engines • Site-specific search tools
Lesson 1A • Introduction to Computers and the Internet